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AGENCY:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.

ACTION:

Request for nominations for public members.

SUMMARY:

Section 931 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act), 42 U.S.C. 299c, established a National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality (the Council). The Council is to advise the Secretary of HHS (Secretary) and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on matters related to activities of the Agency to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans.

Seven current members' terms will expire in November 2009. To fill these positions in accordance with the legislative mandate establishing the Council, we are seeking individuals who are distinguished: (1) In the conduct of research, demonstration projects, and evaluations with respect to health care; (2) in the fields of health care quality research or health care improvement; (3) in the practice of medicine; (4) in other health professions; (5) in representing the private health care sector (including health plans, providers, and purchasers) or administrators of health care delivery systems; (6) in the fields of health care economics, information systems, law, ethics, business, or public policy; and (7) in representing the interests of patients and consumers of health care. Individuals are particularly sought with experience and success in activities specified in the summary above.

DATES:

Nominations should be received on or before Friday, November 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Nominations should be sent to Ms. Deborah Queenan, AHRQ, 540 Gaither Road, Room 3238, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Nominations also may be faxed to (301) 427-1341.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Deborah Queenan, AHRQ, at (301) 427-1330.

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 931 of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. 299c, provides that the Secretary shall appoint to the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality twenty-one appropriately qualified individuals. At least seventeen members shall be representatives of the public and at least one member shall be a specialist in the rural aspects of one or more of the professions or fields listed in the above summary. In addition, the Secretary designates, as ex officio members, representatives from other Federal agencies specified in the authorizing legislation, principally agencies that conduct or support health care research, as well as Federal officials the Secretary may consider appropriate. The Council meets in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, generally in Rockville, Maryland, approximately three times a year to provide broad guidance to the Secretary and AHRQ's Director on the direction of and programs undertaken by AHRQ.

Seven individuals will be selected presently by the Secretary to serve on the Council beginning with the meeting in the spring of 2010. Members generally serve 3-year terms. Appointments are staggered to permit an orderly rotation of membership.

Interested persons may nominate one or more qualified persons for membership on the Council. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations shall include: (1) A copy of the nominee's résumé or curriculum vitae; and (2) a statement that the nominee is willing to serve as a member of the Council. Selected candidates will be asked to provide detailed information concerning their financial interests, consultant positions and research grants and contracts, to permit evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest.

The Department seeks a broad geographic representation. In addition, AHRQ conducts and supports research concerning priority populations, which include: Low-income groups; minority groups; women; children; the elderly; and individuals with special health care needs, including individuals with disabilities and individuals who need chronic care or end-of-life health care. See 42 U.S.C. 299(c). Nominations of candidates with expertise in health care for these priority populations are encouraged.

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